Characterization of Bottled Waters by Multielemental Analysis, Stable and Radiogenic Isotopes

Tea Zuliani,Tjaša Kanduč,Rok Novak,Polona Vreča

doi:10.3390/w12092454

Tea Zuliani, Tjaša Kanduč + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/w12092454

Copy DOI

Abstract

Multi-elemental (Ca, Mg, Na, K, Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, Sb, Se, Tl, V, and Zn) and stable isotope (i.e., δ2H, δ18O, and δ13CDIC) analyses were performed on 13 (8 Slovenian and 5 imported) bottled mineral and spring waters from the Slovenian market. In addition, 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratios were determined for the first time. In all analyzed bottled waters, the majority of elements were present although in low concentrations, and according to EU legislation, all were suitable for human consumption. Also, concentrations of major elements (Ca, Mg, Na, and K) were in general agreement with the values reported on the bottle labels, and any differences were the consequence of the natural variability of the water source used for bottling. The exception was one spring water, for which the source location changed, which was confirmed by the δ2H, δ18O, and δ13CDIC data. Two mineral waters had distinctive elemental compositions due to the particular geology of their recharge areas. The δ13CDIC was also investigated to decipher the carbonate contribution in the bottled waters. The results suggest that dissolution of carbonates and non-equilibrium carbonate dissolution by carbonic acid produced from soil zone CO2 are the predominant geochemical processes influencing the δ13CDIC values of bottled water.

Highlights

Bottled water is the most popular beverage in the world, and sales continue to grow year-on-year.Estimated global consumption in 2007 was 212 billion liters and 437 billion liters in 2017 [1]
More than 25% of the global bottled water production is located in the EU, where 52 billion liters of bottled water are consumed each year [2]
This increase in consumption of bottled water can be attributed to the claims about its higher quality compared to tap water and its health benefits

Summary

Introduction

Bottled water is the most popular beverage in the world, and sales continue to grow year-on-year.Estimated global consumption in 2007 was 212 billion liters and 437 billion liters in 2017 [1]. More than 25% of the global bottled water production is located in the EU, where 52 billion liters of bottled water are consumed each year [2]. This increase in consumption of bottled water can be attributed to the claims about its higher quality compared to tap water and its health benefits. Bottled water is classified into mineral, spring, and table water according to the Council Directive 80/777/EEC [3]. Their properties are described in detail in EU Directive 2009/54/EC [4]. According to national legislation/regulations, only the concentrations of the major elements must be declared on the label

Objectives

Results

Conclusion